Northern Michigan University, located in Marquette, Michigan, is a dynamic four-year, public, comprehensive university that has grown its reputation based on its award-winning leadership programs, cutting-edge technology initiatives and nationally recognized academic programs. Northern has a population of about 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Ask a few Northern students what drew them to our university and you will get a variety of answers. That's because there is no single thing that make students want to go to Northern; it is ALL the things that we do here. Northern is big enough to offer a wide variety of academic programs but is also small enough that every time you walk across campus, you'll probably wave "hi" to someone you know.

Curiosity is the raw ingredient of knowledge. It causes us to ask questions, to seek answers, to learn. At Northern Michigan University, natural curiosity and intellectual challenge meet in stimulating classes grounded in the liberal arts. So wherever your curiosity leads you, you can count on the support you need to take the next step, ask the next question, propose the next hypothesis.

The mission of the Northern Michigan University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, Recreational Sports and the United States Olympic Training Site is to create an environment that promotes academic excellence, interpersonal growth and social development; embraces diversity; teaches lifetime leisure skills; fosters spirit and tradition; and builds a lifelong connection to NMU.

Yes, you'll attend your classes, but what else will you be doing as a student at Northern? There's so much stuff to choose from. There's a student organization or club – almost 300 at last count-- for just about every interest. If you're into investigating the paranormal, anime or improv comedy, there's a group. Cheer on your fellow Wildcats at a hockey game or volleyball match. Join a competitive club sport or an intramural team. The sky is the limit.

Focus on Students

What does it take to be a teacher in the 21st century? The same creativity, love of learning, caring for young people and high level of competency in one's subjects of specialization that teaching has always required. However, today's teacher is also expected to be tech savvy, multiculturally aware and more familiar with outcomes assessment than ever before.

Northern's School of Education, Leadership and Public Service can help you develop these skills. In addition to our outstanding professional development series required of all elementary and secondary education majors , NMU's technology program puts a notebook computer in your hands (as part of tuition and fees) and helps you learn to deal with technology on a daily basis. When you graduate you will feel confident using technology in your future teaching experiences.

The School of Education, Leadership and Public Service also take measures to incorporate multiculturalism into its education curriculum. We encourage students to participate in on-campus and community events that take you outside your comfort zone, and we expose you to as many different aspects of diversity as we can. Additionally, outcomes assessment is worked into your own learning experience, so you will understand how to bring benchmarks and other assessment tools into your classroom.

We strongly believe that the Northern Michigan University School of Education, Leadership and Public Service can prepare you to be a successful 21st century teacher. As faculty and staff, we take our teaching seriously because we hope that when you become a teacher, you'll feel you have great examples to follow. That means we stay current on new teaching trends and requirements, we are involved in campus and community activities (as you will be at any school district you work for) and we push ourselves to try new things and engage in new experiences.

These are the same traits we hope you develop and strengthen during your time at NMU. The opportunities are unlimited. Take advantage of them as they can help you become a better teacher.

Student Videos

Readers Theatre 2008
Recorded at Superior Hills Elementary, Readers Theatre 2008 was a delight! Led by Dr. Sue Szczepanski, students put on a show that dealt with elementary mathematics. Be sure to watch the video!

Classroom Demonstrations
Students from ED307 - Integrating the Arts into the Elementary Curriculum, perform skits as part of their in-class activities.